The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-01-08
Young Girls without Fortune
Mrs. A. e. HentOn, in Cowier.Jownal.


set me to thinking how much young
girl or debutante without income had
to be thankful for. A New York paper
furnishes an interesting list of debutantes
in that city who are on the market, with
the cash value of each girl set after her
name, as we do the record of trotting
horses in this famous Blue-g grass section.
There is an idea generally prevalent
that wealth is the surest means of secur-
ing happiness, and that the two are syn
onymous; without it no one can be
happy, and with it no one can be mis-
cradle. But I call to mind the troubles
of one rich debutante-one of the few
very rich American girls with large es-
tates and revenues all in her own right
She was confding to me some of her
troubles. She was in love, deeply, dark
ly, tragically; there was a passionate
cry for love that would answer to that
which had SO strangely grown within
her heart. Her Romeo was branded as
fortune hunter, paying court to rich
girls. He professed to love her; had
won her heart while she was in short
dresses; she was constant by nature,
and he had certainly given her many
reasons to believe he loved her in re-
turn. But there was rival, oh! so
fair, SO faulty faultless, icily regular,
splendidly WE'LL Oh, cruel torture to
her heart to doubt, but 'trihes light as
air are to the jealous confirmation strong
as proofs of holy writ And she had
seen them together; had seen his eye
rest upon her rival with look that made
her heart ache. She knew she doubted
him, and felt her thousands must be the
magnet that drew him back to her. She
had tried to deceive her heart, she longed
to believe what he told her, and not to
listen to the advice of friends. How
will it end? 1t is not an isolated case.
We drop the curtain, but the drama is
often played out; sometimes hearts win,
sometimes coin. Miss A., with her
millions, wears her elegant dresses and
diamonds, and perhaps puts them on
with very little thought of their beauty
or expense, but is accused of trying to
outshine all of her fair friends. If she
dons simple muslin, chooses to be SIM
plicity herself, and really at heart dis
likes display, she is accused of being
mercenary, wishing to add to her already
large fortune. Tickets for church fairs,
piano recitals, and lectures pour in upon
her by the score; she is expected to re-
fuse none; ifso, she is mean and stingy.
There is no privacy for her, no matter
if she be sensitive and refined, with an
innate nobility of character; would love
to aid suffering humanity; does humane
deeds which she desires should only be
recorded in the Book of Life,' has a
horror of publicity, shrinking from de-
ceit and dissemblers, and worthy to be
won for herself apart from her fortune.
She picks up morning paper and sees
her name at the head of list of young
debutantes TO be chosen from because
of her millions, mere cash value placed
upon her-labeled as she drives or walks
out as the Miss A., who is on the mar
ket. There are some girls who like this
kind of noteriety, but true man would
shrink from woman who could possibly
be glad to see her name in such a list.
There are two sides to every picture.
Many girl perverts her nature, sacri-
fees her heart sometimes her principle)
for money. This is bad enough, but
what of man willing to sell his indie
pendence, his manhood, deliberately,
coolly, declaring his intention to marry
some rich girl and live off her money,
and that, too, when in his heart of hearts
he loves another, and deceives the one
he marries.
I heard a pretty brown-eyed wife ex-
claim not long since, on hearing of an
incongruous match-one of these cash
and labeled, barter and sale affairs: 4
feel glad that was not rich girl; that
Charlie won me and loved me for my
self. I brought him nought but love.
l came with empty hands, but willing,
loving heart-a determination to be
real help-mate. Every crevice of our
home is filled with love. 1t sings in the
it, every inanimate thing cries. if WITH IRftts
voice as ringing as an angels trumpet.
We have known sorrow, we have been
disciplined, but it is that which perhaps
enables us fully to appreciate our many
blessings. The language they speak
with their eyes is deeper, richer, stronger
than any words which could be framed
by mortal lips; more precious than any
molten gold, purer than anything else
on earth is such a love as this
Let no cynic smile disdain at this sa-
cred picture. Now girls, with no bank
account, no name for the market list,
no label to be placed upon you of dol
lars and cents, make your bow and be
thankful that you your dear selves can
inspire such love as this, can win such
a home, noble man of independence
and strength of character, loving you
for yourself, willing to work for you, to
use his strong right arm to defend you,
to cherish you. If you should grow rich
together and have picture galleries whose
glorious pictures delight the eye of their
owners, where Conservatives of rare ex-
otics bloom and rare statuary stir their
pulses to admiration of its grace, you
are more fitted by taste and culture to
open your heart as a leaf turns to the
sun; but, not having them, you can be
content. Love does not burn with Sc
rene and beautiful flame in the lamp of
sordid and unworthy lives.
sa-An old Methodist preacher once
offered the following prayer in prayer
meeting: Lord help us to trust Thee
with our souls 'Amen, was responded
by many voices. Lord help US to trust
Thee with our bodies 'Amen, was
responded with us much warmth as ever.
Lord help us to trust Thee with our
money But to this petition the 'Amen'
was not forthcoming. Is it not strange
that when religion touches some mems
pockets, it cools their ardor at once,
and seals their lips?
HN'Oh, George!' she exclaimed,
catching her breath as she gazed out al
the sea: there seems to be no limit to
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